In 'Writing My Wrongs', Shaka Senghor shares his transformative journey from a life of crime and incarceration to one of redemption and purpose. Through poignant storytelling, he reflects on the choices that led to his 19-year prison sentence and the profound realizations that helped him reclaim his identity. Senghor's vivid narrative reveals the complexities of human experience, exploring themes of forgiveness, resilience, and the power of words. As he confronts his past, he uncovers the possibility of hope in the darkest of circumstances. This memoir is not just a personal account; it serves as an inspiring testament to the strength of the human spirit.
By Shaka Senghor
Published: 2017
"The greatest prison we can build is the one we create in our own minds, but true freedom comes from breaking those chains of self-doubt."
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An “extraordinary, unforgettable” (Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow) memoir of redemption and second chances amidst America’s mass incarceration epidemic, from a member of Oprah’s SuperSoul 100 Shaka Senghor was raised in a middle-class neighborhood on Detroit’s east side during the height of the 1980s crack epidemic. An honor roll student and a natural leader, he dreamed of becoming a doctor—but at age eleven, his parents’ marriage began to unravel, and beatings from his mother worsened, which sent him on a downward spiral. He ran away from home, turned to drug dealing to survive, and ended up in prison for murder at the age of nineteen, full of anger and despair. Writing My Wrongs is the story of what came next. During his nineteen-year incarceration, seven of which were spent in solitary confinement, Senghor discovered literature, meditation, self-examination, and the kindness of others—tools he used to confront the demons of his past, forgive the people who hurt him, and begin atoning for the wrongs he had committed. Upon his release at age thirty-eight, Senghor became an activist and mentor to young men and women facing circumstances like his. His work in the community and the courage to share his story led him to fellowships at the MIT Media Lab and the Kellogg Foundation and invitations to speak at events like TED and the Aspen Ideas Festival. In equal turns, Writing My Wrongs is a page-turning portrait of life in the shadow of poverty, violence, and fear; an unforgettable story of redemption; and a compelling witness to our country’s need for rethinking its approach to crime, prison, and the men and women sent there.
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“The greatest prison we can build is the one we create in our own minds, but true freedom comes from breaking those chains of self-doubt.”
Writing My Wrongs
By Shaka Senghor
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Shaka Senghor is an acclaimed author, speaker, and advocate for criminal justice reform, best known for his memoir, "Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death, and Survival in Prison." His work draws from his personal experiences, detailing his journey from incarceration to inspiring others through storytelling and advocacy. Senghor's writing style is characterized by its candor and emotional depth, exploring themes of resilience, redemption, and the transformative power of literature. His contributions to the literary world have made him a significant voice in discussions on the intersection of art and social change.
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